Biodegradable polymers, the production thereof and the use thereof for producing biodegradable moldings

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable polyether esters P1 obtainable by reacting a mixture essentially comprising 
     (a1) a mixture essentially comprising 
     20-95 mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, 
     5-80 mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and 
     0-5 mol % of a compound containing sulfonate groups, 
     where the total of the individual mole percentages is 100 mol %, and 
     (a2) a mixture of dihydroxy compounds essentially comprising 
     (a21) from 15 to 99.8 mol % of a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C 2 -C 6 -alkanediols and C 5 -C 10 -cycloalkanediols, 
     (a22) from 85 to 0.2 mol % of a dihydroxy compound containing ether functionalities of the formula I 
     
       
         HO—[(CH 2 ) n —O] m —H  I 
       
     
     where n is 2, 3 or 4 and m is an integer from 2 to 250, or mixtures thereof, 
     where the molar ratio of (a1) to (a2) is chosen in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, with the proviso that the polyether ester P1 has a molecular weight (M n ) in the range from 5000 to 80,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester P1 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 200° C., and with the further proviso that from 0.01 to 5 mol %, based on the molar quantity of component (a1) employed, of a compound D with at least three groups capable of ester formation are employed to prepare the polyether ester P1, 
     and further biodegradable polymers and thermoplastic molding compositions, processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for producing biodegradable moldings and adhesives, biodegradable moldings, films and blends with starch obtainable from the polymers and molding compositions according to the invention.

This application is a division of Ser. No. 08/975,307 filed Nov. 20, 1997, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/836,039 filed which is a 371 of PCT/EP95/02492 filed Jun. 27,1995.

The present invention relates to biodegradable polyether esters P1 obtainable by reacting a mixture essentially comprising

(a1) a mixture essentially comprising

25-95 mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof,

5-80 mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and

0-5 mol % of a compound containing sulfonate groups,

where the total of the individual mole percentages is 100 mol %, and

(a2) a mixture of dihydroxy compounds essentially comprising

(a21) from 15 to 99.8 mol % of a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₆-alkanediols and C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkanediols,

(a22) from 85 to 0.2 mol % of a dihydroxy compound containing ether functionalities of the formula I

HO—[(CH₂)_(n)—O]_(m)—H  I

where n is 2, 3 or 4 and m is an integer from 2 to 250, or mixtures thereof,

where the molar ratio of (a1) to (a2) is chosen in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, with the proviso that the polyether ester P1 has a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 5000 to 80,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester P1 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 200° C., and with the further proviso that from 0 to 5 mol %, based on the molar quantity of component (a1) employed, of a compound D with at least three groups capable of ester formation are employed to prepare the polyether ester P1.

The invention furthermore relates to polymers and biodegradable thermoplastic molding compositions as claimed in the dependent claims, processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for producing biodegradable moldings and adhesives, biodegradable moldings, foams and blends with starch obtainable from the polymers and molding compositions according to the invention.

Polymers which are biodegradable, ie. decompose under environmental influences in an appropriate and demonstrable time span have been known for some time. This degradation usually takes place by hydrolysis and/or oxidation, but predominantly by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi and algae. Y. Tokiwa and T. Suzuki (Nature, 270, (1977) 76-78) describe the enzymatic degradation of aliphatic polyesters, for example including polyesters based on succinic acid and aliphatic diols.

EP-A 565,235 describes aliphatic copolyesters containing [—NH—C(O)O—] groups (urethane units). The copolyesters of EP-A 565,235 are obtained by reacting a prepolyester, which is obtained by reacting essentially succinic acid and an aliphatic diol, with a diisocyanate, preferably hexamethylene diisocyanate. The reaction with the diisocyanate is necessary according to EP-A 565,235 because the polycondensation alone results only in polymers with molecular weights such that they display unsatisfactory mechanical properties. A crucial disadvantage is the use of succinic acid or ester derivatives thereof to prepare the copolyesters because succinic acid and derivatives thereof are costly and are not available in adequate quantity on the market. In addition, the polyesters prepared using succinic acid as the only acid component are degraded only extremely slowly.

WO 92/13020 discloses copolyether esters based on predominantly aromatic dicarboxylic acids, short-chain ether diol segments such as diethylene glycol, long-chain polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and aliphatic diols, where at least 85 mol % of the polyester diol residue comprise a terephthalic acid residue. The hydrophilicity of the copolyester can be increased and the crystallinity can be reduced by modifications such as incorporation of up to 2.5 mol % of metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. This is said in WO 92/13020 to make the copolyesters biodegradable. However, a disadvantage of these copolyesters is that biodegradation by microorganisms was not demonstrated, on the contrary only the behavior towards hydrolysis in boiling water was carried out.

According to the statements of Y. Tokiwa and T. Suzuki (Nature, 270 (1977) 76-78 or J. of Appl. Polymer Science, 26 (1981) 441-448), it may be assumed that polyesters which are essentially composed of aromatic dicarboxylic acid units and aliphatic diols, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), are not enzymatically degradable. This also applies to copolyesters and copolyether esters which contain blocks composed of aromatic dicarboxylic acid units and aliphatic diols or ether diols.

Witt et al. (handout for a poster at the International Workshop of the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, Apr. 21-23, 1994) described biodegradable copolyesters based on 1,3-propanediol, terephthalic ester and adipic or sebacic acid. A disadvantage of these copolyesters is that moldings produced therefrom, especially sheets, have inadequate mechanical properties.

It is an object of the present invention to provide polymers which are degradable biologically, ie. by microorganisms, and which do not have these disadvantages. The intention was, in particular, that the polymers according to the invention be preparable from known and low-cost monomer units and be insoluble in water. It was furthermore the intention that it be possible to obtain products tailored for the desired uses according to the invention by specific modifications such as chain extension, incorporation of hydrophilic groups and groups having a branching action. The aim was moreover that the biodegradation by micro-organisms should not be achieved at the expense of the mechanical properties in order not to restrict the number of applications.

We have found that this object is achieved by the polymers and thermoplastic molding compositions defined at the outset.

We have furthermore found processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for producing biodegradable moldings and adhesives, and biodegradable moldings and adhesives obtainable from the polymers and molding compositions according to the invention.

The polyether esters P1 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 5000 to 80,000, preferably from 6000 to 45,000, particularly preferably from 8000 to 35,000, g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400, g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester P1 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 200, preferably from 60 to 160° C.

The polyether esters P1 are obtained according to the invention by reacting a mixture essentially comprising

(a1) a mixture essentially comprising

20-95, preferably from 30 to 80, particularly preferably from 40 to 70, mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof, in particular the di-C₁-C₆-alkyl esters such as dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, dibutyl, diisobutyl, dipentyl and dihexyl adipate, or mixtures thereof, preferably adipic acid and dimethyl adipate, or mixtures thereof,

5-80, preferably 20-70, particularly preferably from 30 to 60, mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof, in particular the di-C₁-C₆-alkyl esters such as dimethyl, diethyl, dipropyl, dibutyl, dipentyl or dihexyl terephthalate, or mixtures thereof, preferably terephthalic acid and dimethyl terephthalate, or mixtures thereof, and

0-5, preferably from 0 to 3, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 2, mol % of a compound containing sulfonate groups,

where the total of the individual mole percentages is 100 mol %, and

(a2) a mixture of dihydroxy compounds essentially comprising

(a21) from 15 to 99.8, preferably from 60 to 99.5, particularly preferably from 70 to 99.5, mol % of a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₆-alkanediols and C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkanediols,

(a22) from 85 to 0.2, preferably from 0.5 to 40, particularly preferably from 0.5 to 30, mol % of a dihydroxy compound containing ether functionalities of the formula I

HO—[(CH₂)_(n)—O]_(m)—H  I

where n is 2, 3 or 4, preferably two and three, particularly preferably two, and m is an integer from 2 to 250, preferably from two to 100, or mixtures thereof,

where the molar ratio of (a1) to (a2) is chosen in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, preferably from 0.6:1 to 1.25:1.

The compound containing sulfonate groups which is normally employed is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a di-carboxylic acid containing sulfonate groups, or the ester-forming derivatives thereof, preferably alkali metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid or mixtures thereof, particularly preferably the sodium salt.

The dihydroxy compounds (a21) employed according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₆-alkanediols and C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkanediols, such as ethylene glycol, 1,2- and 1,3-propanediol, 1,2- and 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol or 1,6-hexanediol, in particular ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol, cyclopentanediol, cyclohexanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, particularly preferably ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.

The dihydroxy compounds (a22) which are preferably employed are diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and polytetrahydrofuran (poly-THF), particularly preferably diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol, it also being possible to employ mixtures thereof or compounds which have different n's (see formula I), for example polyethylene glycol which contains propylene units (n=3) for example obtainable by polymerization by conventional methods of initially ethylene oxide and subsequently with propylene oxide, particularly preferably a polymer based on polyethylene glycol with different n's, where units formed from ethylene oxide predominate. The molecular weight (M_(n)) of the polyethylene glycol is usually chosen in the range from 250 to 8000, preferably from 600 to 3000, g/mol.

From 0 to 5, preferably from 0.01 to 4 mol %, particularly preferably from 0.05 to 4, mol %, based on component (a1), of at least one compound D with at least three groups capable of ester formation are used according to the invention.

The compounds D preferably contain three to ten functional groups capable of forming ester linkages. Particularly preferred compounds D have three to six functional groups of this type in the molecule, in particular three to six hydroxyl groups and/or carboxyl groups. Examples which may be mentioned are:

tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid;

trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane;

pentaerythritol;

polyethertriols;

glycerol;

trimesic acid;

trimellitic acid or anhydride;

pyromellitic acid or dianhydride and

hydroxyisophthalic acid.

When compounds D which have a boiling point below 200° C. are used in the preparation of the polyesters P1, a proportion may distil out of the polycondensation mixture before the reaction. It is therefore preferred to add these compounds in an early stage of the process, such as the transesterification or esterification stage, in order to avoid this complication and in order to achieve the maximum possible uniformity of their distribution within the polycondensate.

In the case of compounds D which boil above 200° C., they can also be employed in a later stage of the process.

By adding the compound D it is possible, for example, to alter the melt viscosity in a desired manner, to increase the impact strength and to reduce the crystallinity of the polymers or molding compositions according to the invention.

The preparation of the biodegradable polyether esters P1 is known in principle (Sorensen and Campbell, Preparative Methods of Polymer Chemistry, Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1961, pages 111-127; Encyl. of Polym. Science and Eng., Vol. 12, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1988, pages 75-117; Kunststoff-Handbuch, Volume 3/1, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, 1992, pages 15-23 (Preparation of Polyesters); WO 92/13020; EP-A 568 593; EP-A 565 235; EP-A 28 687) so that details on this are superfluous.

Thus, for example, the reaction of dimethyl esters of component (a1) with component (a2) (transesterification) can be carried out at from 160 to 230° C. in the melt under atmospheric pressure, advantageously under an inert gas atmosphere.

In the preparation of the biodegradable polyether ester P1 it is advantageous to use a molar excess of component (a2) relative to component (a1), for example up to 2½ times, preferably up to 1.67 times.

The biodegradable polyether ester P1 is normally prepared with addition of suitable conventional catalysts such as metal compounds based on the following elements such as Ti, Ge, Zn, Fe, Mn, Co, Zr, V, Ir, La, Ce, Li, and Ca, preferably organometallic compounds based on these metals, such as salts of organic acids, alkoxides, acetylacetonates and the like, particularly preferably based on zinc, tin and titanium.

When dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof are used as component (a1), esterification thereof with component (a2) can take place before, at the same time as or after the transesterification. For example, the process described in DE-A 23 26 026 for preparing modified polyalkylene terephthalates can be used.

After the reaction of components (a1) and (a2), the polycondensation is carried out as far as the desired molecular weight, as a rule under reduced pressure or in a stream of inert gas, for example of nitrogen, with further heating to from 180 to 260° C.

In order to prevent unwanted degradation and/or side reactions, it is also possible in this stage of the process if required to add stabilizers (see EP-A 21 042 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,341). Examples of such stabilizers are the phosphorus compounds described in EP-A 13 461, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,049 or in B. Fortunato et al., Polymer Vol. 35, No. 18, pages 4006-4010, 1994, Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd. These may also in some cases act as inactivators of the catalysts described above. Examples which may be mentioned are: organophosphites, phosphonous acid and phosphorous acid. Example of compounds which act only as stabilizers are: trialkyl phosphites, triphenyl phosphite, trialkyl phosphates, triphenyl phosphate and tocopherol (obtainable as Uvinul® 2003AO (BASF) for example).

On use of the biodegradable copolymers according to the invention, for example in the packaging sector, eg. for foodstuffs, it is as a rule desirable to select the lowest possible content of catalyst employed and not to employ any toxic compounds. In contrast to other heavy metals such as lead, tin, antimony, cadmium, chromium, etc., titanium and zinc compounds are non-toxic as a rule (Sax Toxic Substance Data Book, Shizuo Fujiyama, Maruzen, K. K., 360 S. (cited in EP-A 565,235), see also Römpp Chemie Lexikon Vol. 6, Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, N.Y., 9th Edition, 1992, pages 4626-4633 and 5136-5143). Examples which may be mentioned are: dibutoxydiacetoacetoxytitanium, tetrabutyl orthotitanate and zinc(II) acetate.

The ratio by weight of catalyst to biodegradable polyether ester P1 is normally in the range from 0.01:100 to 3:100, preferably from 0.05:100 to 2:100, it also being possible to employ smaller quantities, such as 0.0001:100, in the case of highly active titanium compounds.

The catalyst can be employed right at the start of the reaction, directly shortly before the removal of the excess diol or, if required, also distributed in a plurality of portions during the preparation of the biodegradable polyether esters P1. It is also possible if required to employ different catalysts or mixtures thereof.

The biodegradable polyether esters P2 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 5000 to 80,000, preferably from 6000 to 45,000, particularly preferably from 10,000 to 40,000, g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400, g/ml (measured in o-dichloro-benzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester P2 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 235, preferably from 60 to 235° C.

The biodegradable polyether esters P2 are obtained according to the invention by reacting a mixture essentially comprising

(b1) a mixture essentially comprising

20-95, preferably from 25 to 80, particularly preferably from 30 to 70, mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof,

5-80, preferably from 20 to 75, particularly preferably from 30 to 70, mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and

0-5, preferably from 0 to 3, particularly preferably from 0.1 to 2, mol % of a compound containing sulfonate groups,

where the total of the individual mole percentages is 100 mol %,

(b2) a mixture of dihydroxy compounds (a2),

where the molar ratio of (b1) to (b2) is chosen in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.25:1, preferably from 0.6:1 to 1.25:1,

(b3) from 0.01 to 100, preferably from 0.1 to 80, % by weight, based on component (b1), of a hydroxy carboxylic acid B1, and

(b4) from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 4, particularly preferably from 0.01 to 3.5, mol %, based on component (b1), of compound D,

where the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 is defined by the formulae IIa or IIb

where p is an integer from 1 to 1500, preferably from 1 to 1000, and r is 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably 1 and 2, and G is a radical selected from the group consisting of phenylene, —(CH₂)_(k)—, where k is an integer from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1 and 5, —C(R)H— and —C(R)HCH₂, where R is methyl or ethyl.

The biodegradable polyether esters P2 are espediently prepared in a similar way to the preparation of the polyether esters P1, it being possible to add the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 both at the start of the reaction and after the esterification or transesterification stage.

In a preferred embodiment, the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 such as glycolic acid, D-, L- or D,L-lactic acid, 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, the cyclic derivates thereof such as glycolide (1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione), D- or L-dilactide (3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione), p-hydroxybenzoic acid and oligomers and polymers such as poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyhydroxyvaleric acid, polylactide (obtainable as EcoPLA® (from Cargill) for example) and a mixture of poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid and polyhydroxyvaleric acid (obtainable under the name Biopol® from Zeneca for example), the low molecular weight and cyclic derivatives thereof are particularly preferably employed for preparing polyether esters P2.

The biodegradable polyether esters Q1 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 5000 to 100,000, preferably from 8000 to 80,000, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester Q1 at 25° C.), and a melting point in the range from 50 to 235, preferably from 60 to 235° C.

The polyether esters Q1 are obtained according to the invention by reacting a mixture essentially comprising

(c1) polyether ester P1,

(c2) 0.01-50, preferably from 0.1 to 40, % by weight, based on (c1), of hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 and

(c3) 0-5, preferably from 0 to 4, mol %, based on component (a1) from the preparation of P1, of compound D.

The reaction of the polyether esters P1 with the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1, if required in the presence of compound D, preferably takes place in the melt at from 120 to 260° C. under an inert gas atmosphere, if desired also under reduced pressure. The procedure can be both batchwise and continuous, for example in stirred vessels or (reaction) extruders.

The reaction rate can, if required, be increased by adding conventional transesterification catalysts (see those described hereinbefore for the preparation of the polyether esters P1).

A preferred embodiment relates to polyether esters Q1 with block structures formed from components P1 and B1: when cyclic derivatives of B1 (compounds IIb) are used it is possible in the reaction with the biodegradable polyether ester P1 to obtain, by a ring-opening polymerization initiated by the end groups of P1, in a conventional way polyether esters Q1 with block structures (on the ring-opening polymerization, see Encycl. of Polym. Science and Eng. Volume 12, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1988, pages 1-75, in particular pages 36-41). The reaction can, if required, be carried out with addition of conventional catalysts like the transesterification catalysts described hereinbefore, and tin octanoate is particularly preferred (see also Encycl. of Polym. Science and Eng. Volume 12, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1988, pages 1-75, in particular pages 36-41).

When components B1 with higher molecular weights, for example with a p above 10 (ten) are used, it is possible to obtain, by reaction with the polyether esters P1 in stirred vessels or extruders, the desired block structures by the choice of the reaction conditions such as temperature, holdup time, addition of transesterification catalysts such as the abovementioned. Thus, J. of Appl. Polym. Sci., 32 (1986) 6191-6207 and Makromol. Chemie, 136 (1970) 311-313 disclose that in the reaction of polyether esters in the melt it is possible to obtain from a blend by transesterification reactions initially block copolymers and then random copolymers.

The biodegradable polyether esters Q2 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 6000 to 80,000, preferably from 8000 to 50,000, particularly preferably from 10,000 to 40,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400 g/ml (measured in o-dichloro-benzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester Q2 at 25° C.), and a melting point in the range from 50 to 200° C., preferably from 60 to 160° C.

The polyether esters Q2 are obtained according to the invention by reacting a mixture essentially comprising

(d1) from 95 to 99.9, preferably from 96 to 99.8, particularly preferably from 97 to 99.65, % by weight of polyether ester P1,

(d2) from 0.1 to 5, preferably 0.2-4, particularly preferably from 0.35 to 3, % by weight of a diisocyanate C1 and

(d3) from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 4, mol %, based on component (a1) from the preparation of P1, of compound D.

It is possible according to observations to date to employ as diisocyanate C1 all conventional and commercially obtainable diisocyanates. A diisocyanate which is selected from the group consisting of tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate, tolylene 2,6-diisocyanate, 4,4′- and 2,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate and methylenebis(4-isocyanato-cyclohexane), particularly preferably hexamethylene diisocyanate, is preferably employed.

It is also possible in principle to employ trifunctional isocyanate compounds which may contain isocyanurate and/or biuret groups with a functionality of not less than three, or to replace the diisocyanate compounds C1 partially by tri- or polyisocyanates.

The polyether esters P1 are reacted with the diisocyanate C1 preferably in the melt, it being necessary to take care that, if possible, no side reactions which may lead to crosslinking or gel formation occur. In a particular embodiment, the reaction is normally carried out at from 130 to 240, preferably from 140 to 220° C., with the addition of the diisocyanate advantageously taking place in a plurality of portions or continuously.

If required it is also possible to carry out the reaction of the polyether ester P1 with the diisocyanate C1 in the presence of conventional inert solvents such as toluene, methyl ethyl ketone or dimethylformamide (DMF) or mixtures thereof, in which case the reaction is as a rule carried out at from 80 to 200, preferably from 90 to 150° C.

The reaction with the diisocyanate C1 can be carried out batchwise or continuously, for example in stirred vessels, reaction extruders or through mixing heads.

It is also possible to employ in the reaction of the polyether esters P1 with the diisocyanates C1 conventional catalysts which are disclosed in the prior art (for example those described in EP-A 534 295) or which can be or have been used in the preparation of the polyether esters P1 and Q1 and, if the polyether esters P1 have not been isolated in the preparation of polyether ester Q2, can now be used further.

Examples which may be mentioned are: tertiary amines such as triethylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, N-methylmorpholine, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and the like and, in particular, organic metal compounds such as titanium compounds, iron compounds, tin compounds, eg. dibutoxydiaceto-acetoxytitanium, tetrabutyl orthotitanate, tin diacetate, dioctoate, dilaurate or the dialkyltin salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dilaurate or the like, it again being necessary to take care that, if possible, no toxic compounds ought to be employed.

Although the theoretical optimum for the reaction of P1 with diisocyanates C1 is a 1:1 molar ratio of isocyanate functionality to P1 end group (polyether esters P1 with mainly hydroxyl end groups are preferred), the reaction can also be carried out without technical problems at molar ratios of from 1:3 to 1.5:1. With molar ratios of >1:1 it is possible if desired to add, during the reaction or else after the reaction, a chain extender selected from the components (a2), preferably a C₂-C₆-diol.

The biodegradable polymers T1 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 10,000 to 100,000, preferably from 11,000 to 80,000, preferably from 11,000 to 50,000, g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400, g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polymer T1 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 235, preferably from 60 to 235° C.

The biodegradable polymers T1 are obtained according to the invention by reacting a polyether ester Q1 as claimed in claim 3 with

(e1 ) 0.1-5, preferably from 0.2 to 4, particularly preferably from 0.3 to 3, % by weight, based on the polyether ester Q1, of diisocyanate C1 and with

(e2) 0-5, preferably from 0 to 4 mol %, based on component (a1) from the preparation of P1 and polyether ester Q1, of compound D.

This normally results in a chain extension, with the resulting polymer chains preferably having a block structure.

The reaction is, as a rule, carried out in a similar way to the preparation of the polyether esters Q2.

The biodegradable polymers T2 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 10,000 to 100,000, preferably from 11,000 to 80,000, particularly preferably from 11,000 to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polymer T2 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 235, preferably from 60 to 235° C.

The biodegradable polymers T2 are obtainable according to the invention by reacting the polyether ester Q2 with

(f1) 0.01-50, preferably from 0.1 to 40, % by weight, based on the polyether ester Q2, of the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 and with

(f2) 0-5, preferably from 0 to 4, mol %, based on component (a1) from the preparation of polyether ester Q2 via the polyether ester P1, of compound D,

the procedure expediently being similar to the reaction of polyether ester P1 with hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 to give polyether ester Q1.

The biodegradable polymers T3 according to the invention have a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 10,000 to 100,000, preferably from 11,000 to 80,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450, preferably from 50 to 400 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polymer T3 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 235, preferably from 60 to 235° C.

The biodegradable polymers T3 are obtained according to the invention by reacting (g1) polyether ester P2, or (g2) a mixture essentially comprising polyether ester P1 and 0.01-50, preferably from 0.1 to 40, % by weight, based on the polyether ester P1, of hydroxy carboxylic acid B1, or (g3) a mixture essentially comprising polyether esters P1 which differ from one another in composition, with

0.1-5, preferably from 0.2 to 4, particularly preferably from 0.3 to 2.5, %, by weight, based on the quantity of polyether esters employed, of diisocyanate C1 and

with 0-5, preferably from 0 to 4, mol %, based on the respective molar quantities of component (a1) employed to prepare the polyether esters (g1) to (g3) employed, of compound D, expediently carrying out the reactions in a similar way to the preparation of the polyether esters Q2 from the polyether esters P1 and the diisocyanates C1.

In a preferred embodiment, polyether esters P2 whose repeating units are randomly distributed in the molecule are employed.

However, it is also possible to employ polyether esters P2 whose polymer chains have block structures. Polyether esters P2 of this type can generally be obtained by appropriate choice, in particular of the molecular weight, of the hydroxy carboxylic acid B1. Thus, according to observations to date there is generally only incomplete transesterification when a high molecular weight hydroxy carboxylic acid B1 is used, in particular with a p above for example even in the presence of the inactivators described above (see J. of Appl. Polym. Sci. 32 (1986) 6191-6207 and Makromol. Chemie, 136 (1970) 311-313). If required, the reaction can also be carried out in solution using the solvents mentioned for the preparation of the polymers T1 from the polyether esters Q1 and the diisocyanates C1.

The biodegradable thermoplastic molding compositions T4 are obtained according to the invention by mixing in a conventional way, preferably with the addition of conventional additives such as stabilizers, processing aids, fillers etc. (see J. of Appl. Polym. Sci., 32 (1986) 6191-6207; WO 92/0441; EP 515,203; Kunststoff-Hanbuch, Vol. 3/1, Carl Hanser Verlag Munich, 1992, pages 24-28)

(h1) 99.5-0.5% by weight of polyether ester P1 as claimed in claim 1 or polyether ester Q2 as claimed in claim 4 with

(h2) 0.5-99.5% by weight of hydroxy carboxylic acid B1.

In a preferred embodiment, high molecular weight hydroxy carboxylic acids B1 such as polycaprolactone or polylactide (eg. EcoPLA®) or polyglycolide or polyhydroxyalkanoates such as poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, polyhydroxyvaleric acid and mixtures thereof (eg. Biopol®) with a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 10,000 to 150,000, preferably from 10,000 to 100,000, g/mol are employed.

WO 92/0441 and EP-A 515 203 disclose that high molecular weight polylactide without added plasticizers is too brittle for most applications. It is possible in a preferred embodiment to prepare a blend starting from 0.5-20, preferably from 0.5 to 10, % by weight of polyether ester P1 as claimed in claim 1 or polyether ester Q2 as claimed in claim 4 and

99.5-80, preferably from 99.5 to 90, % by weight of polylactide, which displays a distinct improvement in the mechanical properties, for example an increase in the impact strength, compared with pure polylactide.

Another preferred embodiment relates to a blend obtainable by mixing

from 99.5 to 40, preferably from 99.5 to 60, % by weight of polyether ester P1 as claimed in claim 1 or polyether ester Q2 as claimed in claim 4 and

from 0.5 to 60, preferably from 0.5 to 40, % by weight of a high molecular weight hydroxy carboxylic acid B1, particularly preferably polylactide (eg. EcoPLA®), polyglycolide, poly-3-hydroxy-butyric acid, polyhydroxyvaleric acid and mixtures thereof (eg. Biopol®), and polycaprolactone. Blends of this type are completely biodegradable and, according to observations to date, have very good mechanical properties.

According to observations to date, the thermoplastic molding compositions T4 according to the invention are preferably obtained by observing short mixing times, for example when carrying out the mixing in an extruder. It is also possible to obtain molding compositions which have predominantly blend structures by choice of the mixing parameters, in particular the mixing time and, if required, the use of inactivators, ie. it is possible to control the mixing process so that transesterification reactions can also take place at least partly.

In another preferred embodiment it is possible to replace 0-50, preferably 0-30, mol % of the adipic acid or the ester-forming derivatives thereof or the mixtures thereof by at least one other aliphatic C₄-C₁₀- or cycloaliphatic C₅-C₁₀-dicarboxylic acid or dimer fatty acids such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid or sebacic acid or an ester derivate such as the di-C₁-C₆-alkyl esters thereof or the anhydrides thereof such as succinic anhydride, or mixtures thereof, preferably succinic acid, succinic anhydride, sebacic acid, dimer fatty acid and di-C₁-C₆-alkyl esters such as dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisobutyl, di-n-pentyl, dineopentyl, di-n-hexyl esters thereof, especially dimethyl succinate.

A particularly preferred embodiment relates to the use as component (a1) of the mixture, described in EP-A 7445, of succinic acid, adipic acid and glutaric acid and the C₁-C₆-alkyl esters thereof such as dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisobutyl, di-n-pentyl, dineopentyl, di-n-hexyl esters, especially the dimethyl esters and diisobutyl esters thereof.

In another preferred embodiment it is possible to replace 0-50, preferably 0-40, mol % of the terephthalic acid or the ester-forming derivatives thereof, or the mixtures thereof, by at least one other aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid, phthalic acid or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, preferably isophthalic acid, or an ester derivative such as a di-C₁-C₆-alkyl ester such as dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisobutyl, di-n-pentyl, dineopentyl, di-n-hexyl ester, in particular a dimethyl ester, or mixtures thereof.

It should be noted in general that the various polymers according to the invention can be worked up in a conventional way by isolating the polymers or, in particular if it is wished to react the polyether esters P1, P2, Q1 and Q2 further, by not isolating the polymers but immediately processing them further.

The polymers according to the invention can be applied to coating substrates by rolling, spreading, spraying or pouring. Preferred coating substrates are those which are compostable or rot such as moldings of paper, cellulose or starch.

The polymers according to the invention can also be used to produce moldings which are compostable. Moldings which may be mentioned by way of example are: disposable articles such as crockery, cutlery, refuse sacks, sheets for agriculture to advance harvesting, packaging sheets and vessels for growing plants.

It is furthermore possible to spin the polymers according to the invention into threads in a conventional way. The threads can, if required, be stretched, stretch-twisted, stretch-wound, stretch-warped, stretch-sized and stretch-texturized by customary methods. The stretching to flat yarn can moreover take place in the same working step (fully drawn yarn or fully oriented yarn) or in a separate step. The stretch warping, stretch sizing and stretch texturizing are generally carried out in a working step separate from the spinning. The threads can be further processed to fibers in a conventional way. Sheet-like structures can then be obtained from the fibers by weaving or knitting.

The moldings, coating compositions and threads etc. described above can, if required, also contain fillers which can be incorporated during the polymerization process at any stage or subsequently, for example in the melt of the polymers according to the invention.

It is possible to add from 0 to 80% by weight of fillers, based on the polymers according to the invention. Examples of suitable fillers are carbon black, starch, lignin powder, cellulose fibers, natural fibers such as sisal and hemp, iron oxides, clay minerals, ores, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate and titanium dioxide. The fillers can in some cases also contain stabilizers such as tocopherol (vitamin E), organic phosphorus compounds, mono-, di- and polyphenols, hydroquinones, diarylamines, thioethers, UV stabilizers, nucleating agents such as talc, and lubricants and mold release agents based on hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, higher carboxylic acids, metal salts of higher carboxylic acids such as calcium and zinc stearate, and montan waxes. Such stabilizers etc. Are described in detail in Kunststoff-Handbuch, Vol. 3/1, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich, 1992, pages 24-28.

The polymers according to the invention can additionally be colored in any desired way by adding organic or inorganic dyes. The dyes can also in the widest sense be regarded as filler.

A particular application of the polymers according to the invention relates to the use as compostable sheet or a compostable coating as outer layer of diapers. The outer layer of the diapers effectively prevents penetration by liquids which are absorbed inside the diaper by the fluff and superabsorbers, preferably by biodegradable superabsorbers, for example based on crosslinked polyacrylic acid or crosslinked polyacrylamide. It is possible to use a web of a cellulose material as inner layer of the diaper. The outer layer of the described diapers is biodegradable and thus compostable. It disintegrates on composting so that the entire diaper rots, whereas diapers provided with an outer layer of, for example, polyethylene cannot be composted without previous reduction in size or elaborate removal of the polyethylene sheet.

Another preferred use of the polymers and molding compositions according to the invention relates to the production of adhesives in a conventional way (see, for example, Encycl. of Polym. Sc. and Eng. Vol.1, “Adhesive Compositions”, pages 547-577). The polymers and molding compositions according to the invention can also be processed as disclosed in EP-A 21042 using suitable tackifying thermoplastic resins, preferably natural resins, by the methods described therein. The polymers and molding compositions according to the invention can also be further processed as disclosed in DE-A 4 234 305 to solvent-free adhesive systems such as hot melt sheets.

Another preferred application relates to the production of completely degradable blends with starch mixtures (preferably with thermoplastic starch as described in WO 90/05161) in a similar process to that described in DE-A 42 37 535. The polymers according to the invention can in this case be mixed both as granules and as polymer melts with starch mixtures, and admixing as polymer melt is preferred because this allows one process step (granulation) to be saved (direct finishing). The polymers and thermoplastic molding compositions according to the invention can, according to observations to date, because of their hydrophobic nature, their mechanical properties, their complete biodegradability, their good compatibility with thermoplastic starch and not least because of their favorable raw material basis, advantageously be employed as synthetic blend component.

Further applications relate, for example, to the use of the polymers according to the invention in agricultural mulch, packaging material for seeds and nutrients, substrate in adhesive sheets, baby pants, pouches, bed sheets, bottles, boxes, dust bags, labels, cushion coverings, protective clothing, hygiene articles, handkerchiefs, toys and wipes.

Another use of the polymers and molding compositions according to the invention relates to the production of foams, generally by conventional methods (see EP-A 372 846; Handbook of Polymeric foams and Foam Technology, Hanser Publisher, Munich, 1991, pages 375-408). This normally entails the polymer or molding composition according to the invention being initially melted, if required with the addition of up to 5% by weight of compound D, preferably pyromellitic dianhydride and trimellitic anhydride, then a blowing agent being added and the resulting mixture being exposed to reduced pressure by extrusion, resulting in foaming.

The advantages of the polymers according to the invention over known biodegradable polymers are a favorable raw material basis with readily available starting materials such as adipic acid, terephthalic acid and conventional diols, interesting mechanical properties due to the combination of “hard” (owing to the aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid) and “soft” (owing to the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid) segments in the polymer chain and the variation in uses due to simple modifications, a satisfactory degradation by microorganisms, especially in compost and soil, and a certain resistance to microorganisms in aqueous systems at room temperature, which is particularly advantageous for many applications. The random incorporation of the aromatic dicarboxylic acids of component (a1) in various polymers makes the biological attack possible and thus achieves the desired biodegradability.

A particular advantage of the polymers according to the invention is that it is possible by tailoring the formulations to optimize both the biodegradation and the mechanical properties for the particular application.

It is furthermore possible depending on the preparation process advantageously to obtain polymers with predominantly random distribution of monomer units, polymers with predominantly block structures and polymers with predominantly blend structure or blends.

EXAMPLES

Enzyme Test

The polymers were cooled with liquid nitrogen or dry ice and finely ground in a mill (the rate of enzymatic breakdown increases with the surface area of the milled material). To carry out the actual enzyme test, 30 mg of finely ground polymer powder and 2 ml of a 20 mmol/l aqueous K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄ buffer solution (pH: 7.0) were placed in an Eppendorf tube (2 ml) and equilibrated at 37° C. in a tube rotator for 3 h. Subsequently 100 units of lipase from either Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus delemar or Pseudomonas p1. were added, and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. while agitating (250 rpm) on the tube rotator for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then filtered through a Millipore® membrane (0.45 μm), and the DOC (dissolved organic carbon) of the filtrate was measured. A DOC measurement was carried out with only buffer and enzyme (as enzyme control) and with only buffer and sample (as blank) in a similar way.

The determined ΔDOC values (DOC (sample+enzyme)-DOC (enzyme control)-DOC (blank)) can be regarded as a measure of the enzymatic degradability of the samples. They are represented in each case by comparison with a measurement with a powder of Polycaprolactone® Tone P 787 (Union Carbide). It should be noted in the assessment that these ΔDOC valves are not absolutely quantifiable data. Mention has already been made hereinbefore of the connection between the surface area of the milled material and the rate of enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities may also vary.

The hydroxyl number (OH number) and acid number (AN) were determined by the following methods:

(a) Determination of the apparent hydroxyl number

10 ml of toluene and 9.8 ml of acetylating reagent (see below) were added to about 1 to 2 g of accurately weighed test substance, and the mixture was heated with stirring at 95° C. for 1 h. Then 5 ml of distilled water were added. After cooling to room temperature, 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF) were added, and the mixture was titrated to the turning point against ethanolic KOH standard solution using a potentiograph.

The experiment was repeated without test substance (blank sample).

The apparent OH number was then determined from the following formula:

apparent OH number c×t×56.1×(V2−V1)/m(in mg KOH/g)

 where

c=amount of substance concentration of the ethanolic KOH standard solution in mol/l,

t=titer of the ethanolic KOH standard solution

m=weight of test substance in mg

V1=ml of standard solution used with test substance

V2=ml of standard solution used without test substance.

Reagents used:

ethanolic KOH standard solution, c=0.5 mol/l, titer 0.9933 (Merck, Cat. No. 1.09114)

acetic anhydride, analytical grade (Merck, Cat. No. 42)

pyridine, analytical grade (Riedel de Haen, Cat. No. 33638)

acetic acid, analytical grade (Merck, Cat. No. 1.00063)

acetylating reagent:

810 ml of pyridine, 100 ml of

acetic anhydride and 9 ml of

acetic acid

water, deionized

THF and toluene

b) Determination of the acid number (AN)

10 ml of toluene and 10 ml of pyridine were added to about 1 to 1.5 g of accurately weighed test substance, and the mixture was then heated to 95° C. After a solution was obtained, it was cooled to room temperature and, after addition of 5 ml of water and 50 ml of THF, titrated against 0.1 N of ethanolic KOH standard solution.

The determination was repeated without test substance (blank sample)

The acid number was then determined using the following formula:

AN=c×t×56.1×(V1-V2)/m(in mg KOH/g)

 where

c=amount of substance concentration of the ethanolic KOH standard solution in mol/l,

t=titer of the ethanolic KOH standard solution

m=weight of test substance in mg

V1=ml of standard solution used with test substance

V2=ml of standard solution used without test substance.

Reagents used:

ethanolic KOH standard solution, c=0.1 mol/l,

titer=0.9913 (Merck, Cat. No. 9115)

pyridine, analytical grade (Riedel de Haen, Cat. No. 33638)

water, deionized

THF and toluene

c) Determination of the OH number

The OH number is obtained from the sum of the apparent OH number and the AN:

OH number=apparent OH number+AN

Abbreviations used:

DOC: dissolved organic carbon

DMT: dimethyl terephthalate

PCL: Polycaprolactone® Tone P 787 (Union Carbide)

PMDA: pyromellitic dianhydride

AN: acid number

TBOT: tetrabutyl orthotitanate

VN: viscosity number (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polymer at 25° C.

T_(m): melting temperature=temperature at which a maximum endothermic heat flux occurs (extreme of the DSC plots)

T_(g): glass transition temperature (midpoint of the DSC plots)

The DSC measurements were carried out with a 912+Thermal Analyzer 990 from DuPont. The temperature and enthalpy calibration was carried out in a conventional way. The sample typically weighed 13 mg. The heating and cooling rates were 20 K/min unless otherwise indicated. The samples were measured under the following conditions: 1. heating run on samples in the state as supplied, 2. rapid cooling from the melt, 3. heating run on samples cooled from the melt (samples from 2). The second DSC runs in each case were used, after impressing a uniform thermal prehistory, to make it possible to compare the various samples.

Preparation of the Polyesters P1

Example 1

4672 kg of 1,4-butanediol, 7000 kg of adipic acid and 50 g of tin dioctoate were reacted under a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature in the range from 230 to 240° C. After most of the water which had been formed in the reaction had been removed by distillation, 10 g of TBOT were added to the reaction mixture. After the acid number had fallen below 1, excess 1,4-butanediol was removed by distillation under reduced pressure until the OH number reached 56.

Example 2

384 g of 1,4-butanediol, 316 g of DMT and 1 g of TBOT were placed in a three-neck flask and heated to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. After addition of 101.6 g of adipic acid, the mixture was heated to 230° C. while increasing the stirring speed under a nitrogen atmosphere over the course of 2 h, and the water formed in the condensation reaction was removed by distillation. Then, under a nitrogen atmosphere, 278 g of Pluriol E 600 (polyethylene glycol with molecular weight 600 g/mol) and 0.5 g of TBOT were added. The pressure was reduced stepwise to 5 mbar and then kept at <2 mbar at 230° C. for 1 h, during which the water formed in the condensation reaction and the excess 1,4-butanediol were removed by distillation.

OH number: 5 mg KOH/g

AN: 0.5 mg KOH/g

VN: 109.38 g/ml

T_(m)127.5° C.

T_(g): −46° C. (DSC, state as supplied)

Enzyme test with Rhizopus arrhizus: ΔDOC: 72 mg/l; ΔDOC (PCL): 2,455 mg/l

Example 3

384 g of 1,4-butanediol, 315.8 g of DMT, 710.5 g of Pluriol® E 1500 (BASF, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight 1,500 g/mol) and 1 g of TBOT were placed in a three-neck flask and heated to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. After addition of 101.6 g of adipic acid and 12 g of sodium sulfoisophthalate, the mixture was heated to 230° C. while increasing the stirring speed under a nitrogen atmosphere over the course of 2 h, and the water formed in the condensation reaction was removed by distillation. Then, under a nitrogen atmosphere, 1.3 g of PMDA and, after a further hour, 0.4 g of 50% by weight aqueous phosphorous acid were added. The pressure was reduced stepwise to 5 mbar and then maintained at <2 mbar at 230° C. for 1 h, during which the water formed in the condensation reaction and the excess 1,4-butanediol were removed by distillation.

OH number: 12 mg KOH/g

AN: 0.8 mg KOH/g

VN: 68.4 g/ml

T_(m): 107.8° C. (DSC, state as supplied)

Example 4

2.5 kg of the polymer from Example 1, 5.6 kg of DMT, 5.6 kg of 1,4-butanediol, 6.22 kg of Systol® T 122 (BASF, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight 600 g/mol) and 20 g of TBOT were heated in a vessel to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. The mixture was heated to 230° C. while increasing the stirring speed over the course of 3 h and, after a further hour, 8 g of 50% by weight aqueous phosphorus acid were added. The pressure was reduced to 5 mbar over the course of 2 h and was then maintained at <2 mbar at 240° C. for 1 h, during which the excess 1,4-butanediol was removed by distillation.

OH number: 4 mg KOH/g

AN: 2.5 mg KOH/g

VN: 107 g/ml

T_(m): 111° C.

T_(g): −47° C. (DSC, state as supplied)

Example 5

506.6 g of the polymer from Example 1, 1,359.3 g of DMT, 134 g of sodium sulfoisophthalate, 1,025 g of 1,4-butanediol, 491 g of diethylene glycol and 3.5 g of TBOT were heated in a vessel to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification and water were removed by distillation. The mixture was heated to 230° C. while increasing the stirring speed over the course of 3 h and, after a further hour, 8 g of 50% by weight aqueous phosphorous acid were added. The pressure was reduced to 5 mbar over the course of 2 h and then maintained at <2 mbar at 240° C. for 1 h, during which the excess 1,4-butanediol was removed by distillation.

OH number: 7 mg KOH/g

AN: 1.9 mg KOH/g

Example 6

90 g of the polymer from Example 4 were heated with 60 g of polycaprolactone (PCL) and 0.75 g of pyromellitic dianhydride to 180° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere and stirred for 2 hours. Subsequently, 1.21 g of hexamethylene diisocyanate were added over the course of 15 min, and the mixture was then stirred for 30 min.

Product before HDI addition:

VN: 148 g/ml

Product after HDI addition:

VN: 190 g/ml

Example 7

335 g of ethylene glycol, 64 g of diethylene glycol, 388 g of DMT, 2.6 g of pyromellitic dianhydride, 1 g of TBOT and 12 g of sodium sulfoisophthalate were placed in a three-neck flask and heated to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. Then 75 g of adipic acid and 43.5 g of 91% by weight aqueous lactic acid were added. The mixture was heated to 200° C. while increasing the stirring speed over the course of 2 h. The pressure was then reduced stepwise to 5 mbar and then maintained at <2 mbar at 210° C. for 1 h, during which the water formed in the condensation reaction and the excess ethylene glycol were removed by distillation.

OH number: 15 mg KOH/g

AN: 0.4 mg KOH/g

Example 8

335 g of ethylene glycol, 240 g of Lutrol® E 400 (BASF, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight 400 g/mol), 388 g of DMT and 1 g of TBOT were placed in a three-neck flask and heated to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. Then 75 g of adipic acid and 43.5 g of 91% by weight aqueous lactic acid were added. The mixture was heated to

200° C. while increasing the stirring speed over the course of 2 h. The pressure was then reduced stepwise to 5 mbar and then maintained at <2 mbar at 210° C. for 1 h, during which the water formed in the condensation reaction and the excess ethylene glycol were removed by distillation.

OH number: 20 mg KOH/g

AN: 0.3 mg KOH/g

T_(m): 135° C., (DSC, state as supplied)

Enzyme test with Rhizopus arrhizus: ΔDOC: 143 mg/l; ΔDOC (PCL): 1,989 mg/l

Example 9

486.6 g of 1,4-butanediol, 240 g of Lutrol® E 400 (BASF, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight 400 g/mol), 388 g of DMT, 3.1 g of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid and 1 g of TBOT were placed in a three-neck flask and heated to 180° C. while stirring slowly under a nitrogen atmosphere. During this, the methanol formed in the transesterification was removed by distillation. Then 75 g of adipic acid and 43.5 g of 91% by weight aqueous lactic acid were added. The mixture was heated to 200° C. while increasing the stirring speed over the course of 2 h. The pressure was then reduced stepwise to 5 mbar and then maintained at <2 mbar at 210° C. for 1 h, during which the water formed in the condensation reaction and the excess ethylene glycol were removed by distillation.

OH number: 14 mg KOH/g

AN: 0.3 mg KOH/g

Enzyme test with Rhizopus arrhizus: ΔDOC: 193 mg/l; ΔDOC (PCL): 1,989 mg/l

Example 10

150 g of the polymer from Example 3 were heated to 180° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, while stirring, 1.15 g of hexamethylene diisocyanate were added over the course of 15 min, and the mixture was then stirred for 30 min.

Product after HDI addition:

VN: 112 g/ml 

We claim:
 1. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 obtainable by reacting a mixture essentially comprising (a1) a mixture comprising 20-95 mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, 5-80 mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and 0-5 mol % of a compound containing sulfonate groups, where the total of the individual mole percentages is 100 mol %, and (a2) a mixture of dihydroxy compounds essentially comprising (a21) from 15 to 99.8 mol % of a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C₂-C₆-alkanediols and C₅-C₁₀-cycloalkanediols, (a22) from 85 to 0.2 mol % of a dihydroxy compound containing ether functionalities of the formula I HO—[(CH₂)_(n)—O]_(m)—H  I where n is 2, 3 or 4 and m is an integer from 2 to 250, or mixtures thereof, where the molar ratio of (a1) to (a2) is chosen in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, with the proviso that the polyether ester P1 has a molecular weight (M_(n)) in the range from 5000 to 80,000 g/mol, a viscosity number in the range from 30 to 450 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzene/phenol (50/50 ratio by weight) at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyether ester P1 at 25° C.) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 200° C., and with the further proviso that from 0 to 5 mol %, based on the molar quantity of component (a1) employed, of a compound D having at least three groups capable of ester formation are employed to prepare the polyether ester P1.
 2. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is a member selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, polyerythritol, polyethertriol, glycerol, trimesic acid, trimellitic acid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic acid, pyromellitic dianhydride, or hydroxyisophthalic acid.
 3. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is malic acid.
 4. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is a polyethertriol.
 5. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is glycerol.
 6. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is pyromellitic acid or pyromellitic diianhydride.
 7. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the compound D is selected from the group consisting of 4-carboxyphthalic anhydride, 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, pentaerythritol and polyethertriols.
 8. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein the polyester P1 comprises at least 0.05 mol %, based on (a₁), of the compound D.
 9. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein P1 is obtained by initially reacting a part of the component (a₁) and a part of the component (a₂) to form a prepolymer, and subsequently reacting the prepolymer with the residual part of the component (a₁), the residual part of component (a₂) and with the component (a₃).
 10. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 1, wherein P1 is obtained by reacting the components (a₁), (a₂) and (a₃) in the presence of phosphonous acid or phosphorous acid.
 11. A biodegradable polyether ester P1 defined in claim 9, wherein P1 is obtained by reacting the prepolymer with the residual part of the component (a₁), the residual part of the component (a₂) and with the component the component (a₃) in the presence of phosphonous acid or phosphorous acid. 